RETAIL GLOSSARY

Mannequin Styling

The dressing and positioning of mannequins within a retail space to showcase products, inspire customers, and create a cohesive visual story.

What is Mannequin Styling?

Mannequin styling, also known as visual merchandising using mannequins, refers to the art of dressing and presenting mannequins in retail stores or displays to showcase clothing, accessories, or other merchandise. The purpose of mannequin styling is to create visually appealing and inspiring presentations that capture customers' attention, highlight the latest fashion trends, and encourage them to make a purchase. Retailers strategically use mannequins to display complete outfits, demonstrate various styling options, and evoke a certain mood or lifestyle to resonate with their target audience. By presenting merchandise in a lifelike and contextually relevant manner, mannequin styling can enhance the overall shopping experience and drive sales.

How Mannequin Styling works

Theme and Concept: Retailers start by determining the theme or concept they want to convey through their mannequin displays. This could be based on the latest fashion trends, seasonal collections, specific occasions (e.g., holidays, festivals), or target customer preferences.

Selection of Merchandise: The next step is to select the appropriate clothing, accessories, and other merchandise that align with the chosen theme. Retailers carefully curate outfits that represent the brand's image and resonate with the intended audience.

Dressing the Mannequins: Skilled visual merchandisers or stylists dress the mannequins with the selected merchandise, paying attention to details like fit, color coordination, and styling. The goal is to create visually appealing and cohesive looks that inspire customers.

Placement and Positioning: Mannequins are strategically placed in high-traffic areas of the store or window displays to maximise their visibility. The positioning of mannequins should create a natural flow that guides customers through the store and highlights key merchandise.

Storytelling and Context: Mannequin styling is not just about showcasing clothes; it's about telling a story. Retailers use mannequins to create scenes or scenarios that customers can relate to. This could include depicting different occasions (e.g., workwear, beach vacation, evening wear) or lifestyles (e.g., athleisure, formal wear).

Regular Updates: Mannequin displays are updated regularly to reflect changing trends, new collections, or seasonal themes. Keeping the displays fresh and relevant helps maintain customer interest and encourages repeat visits.

Lighting and Props: Adequate lighting is essential to ensure that the mannequins and merchandise are well-illuminated and stand out in the store. Additionally, retailers may use props, such as furniture, plants, or decorative elements, to complement the mannequin displays and enhance the overall visual impact.

Customer Engagement: Mannequin styling can be interactive. Some retailers use QR codes or NFC technology on mannequin displays to provide additional product information or link to the online store, encouraging customers to engage further with the brand.

Overall, effective mannequin styling plays a significant role in creating a visually appealing and inspiring shopping environment, influencing customer perceptions, and driving sales in retail stores.

Pros of Mannequin Styling

Visual Appeal: Mannequin displays create eye-catching visual presentations that capture the attention of shoppers. Well-styled mannequins showcase merchandise in a realistic and aspirational manner, making it easier for customers to envision how the clothing and accessories will look on themselves.
Improved Sales: Mannequins help in promoting specific outfits or merchandise, increasing the likelihood of impulse purchases. When customers see stylish ensembles displayed on mannequins, they are more likely to be inspired to buy the entire outfit or the individual pieces, leading to higher sales.
Brand Identity and Storytelling: Mannequin styling allows retailers to convey their brand identity and tell a story through visual merchandising. By creating themed displays, retailers can showcase their unique style and personality, which resonates with their target customers and reinforces brand loyalty.

Cons of Mannequin Styling

Cost: High-quality mannequins and skilled styling can be expensive, especially for small and budget-conscious retailers. The initial investment in purchasing mannequins and regularly updating their displays can be a significant financial burden.
Limited Personalisation: While mannequins are versatile, they cannot cater to the individual preferences and body types of every customer. This lack of personalisation might not resonate with all shoppers, leading to a disconnect between the displayed outfits and the customers' unique tastes.
Time and Effort: Mannequin styling requires careful planning, creativity, and time to execute well. Retailers need to regularly change and update the displays to keep them fresh and appealing, which can be time-consuming, particularly for stores with a large number of mannequins and a frequent inventory turnover.

FAQ

Below you will find answers to common questions

Why is mannequin styling important for my retail store?

Mannequin styling is crucial for your retail store because it helps create visually appealing and inspiring displays that showcase your products in the best possible way. Well-dressed mannequins can capture customers' attention, spark their interest, and drive impulse purchases. They also provide a clear visual representation of how certain outfits can be styled, helping customers envision themselves wearing the products.

How can I effectively use mannequin styling to boost sales and engagement?

To effectively use mannequin styling, consider the following tips:
a) Showcase popular or seasonal items: Displaying trending or seasonal products on mannequins can attract customers looking for the latest fashion trends or holiday-themed outfits.
b) Tell a story: Create a narrative around the mannequin display, such as a vacation-inspired collection or workwear essentials, to make it more relatable and engaging for customers.
c) Rotate displays regularly: Changing mannequin displays frequently keeps your store fresh and encourages repeat visits from customers eager to see new looks. d) Highlight accessories: Accessorising mannequins with jewellery, scarves, or bags can upsell additional items and demonstrate how to style complementary products.